Coalesce: The Escape

We continue on through the tunnel as it gradually widens and slopes downhill. A surge of pain runs through my arm and I slightly tighten my grip on the torch and grit my teeth. I force myself to go on. The pain grows intense and my vision gets blurry. The Earth shakes and loose rocks fall onto us, I let out a cry of pain when one hits my wrist.

“You okay?” Kylon asks over his shoulder as he pushes vines out of the way.

“Perfectly fine,” I say flatly and brush dirt off my sleeves. The air seems to go still as a piercing cry echoes around us. We share a look and seconds later another cry surrounds us. It grates against my ears and unnerves me to the core.

Something large and dark leaps at us, swiping at us with razor-sharp claws. I step back and almost trip over some vines as it claws at me, one raking across my wrist. Hot blood flows down my hand and drips to the ground at my feet.

The pain in my wrist makes me want to cry out, but no sound comes from my mouth. My body seems to be getting heavier and my mind starts to go blank. I get a glimpse of Kylon’s face, bloody and afraid before my knees give way and I fall unconscious.

“Hey, good to see you’re awake,” Kylon’s voice greets me.

“What happened?” My voice is hoarse and barely more than a whisper. I start to bring my hand to my face, stopping when I see it covered in blood. Kylon’s face is not much better, a gash runs across his face and trails of dried blood are smeared across his skin.

“We got attacked by some weird animal. Are you feeling alright?”

“Could be worse,” I sit up and wince as a brief pain shoots up my arm. “You look like you’ve seen better days.”

“I have, my face feels like it’s been mauled,” He gingerly touches the gash and winces, I pull his hand away with a frown.

“It has been, Kylon.”

“Yeah, I know.” He offers me his hand and I take it, letting him pull me to my feet.

“Where are we?” I glance around trying to ignore the dizziness in my head, steadying myself on his shoulder. A forest, that’s where we are now, based on the type of tree, we’re still in Valley Forge. Thick digikiki trees, tall with blue and silver leaves, and a silvery gray trunk that produce a fine liquid used in alchemical remedies, surround us on every side.

“The torch lit the vines on fire when you passed out, lucky you I got both of us out. Otherwise we would have been burned alive,” If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was upset with me.

“That’s a wonderful image.” We both turn when a twig snaps. The blue and silver leaves shimmer and turn to purple as the sky darkens. A black-clad figure steps out of the cover of the shadows and looks directly at me. Kylon draws his sword as a warning, pushing me behind him. Ready to run, I slowly angle myself away, wary.

“Hello, Princess,” The voice is a man’s. Familiar, strangely. He bows and lowers the hood of his cloak. I can’t recall ever seeing him before.

“Who are you?” I narrow my eyes in confusion and suspicion.

“You know very well who I am, just as I know you. No need to keep that sword out, Kylon. I mean no harm.” Kylon looks at me, his eyes showing just how confused he is. I look helplessly at him and shrug. At this point, nothing was that outlandish. Everything was going the opposite of how we wanted anyway.

The man sits on a rock and looks at us, almost expectantly... Not knowing what to do, I cross my arms and lean against a tree. I still felt very dizzy.

“As you know, I am Morgan. This is Kylon.” The man dips his head in a sort of greeting.

“I am Lord Eraleth. Messenger of the Deus.” Kylon and I look at him but don’t say anything. “I have been sent to aid you, your highness. I assume that you’re wondering why I told you to bring him along, are you not?” Ah, that’s who he was, then.

“Well, yes. Who wouldn’t wonder about some stranger telling you to leave and bring someone with them,” I struggle to keep a straight face. Curiosity burns through me, itching to get answers to the torrent of questions that begin to pop into my head. Something inside me seems to burn with energy I hadn’t known was there. It reminds me of the Death Dance, in the Brotherhood we had celebrations for our newest members when they became full members. The Death Dance is how we commit to serving Ten’schat. It was an ancient magic ritual.

“He has proved himself to the Deus as a worthy warrior. They have seen great things that can come from you two. I will tell you more later, but for now, we must go. It is not safe here.” With no other words he stands and heads into the trees. With a sigh, I grab Kylon’s hand and follow after him.